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Friday, November 22, 2013

Beauty samples are great for Makeup Artist because it allows us to test out new products, new companies, and new colors. I love collecting product samples to test out or give to clients as a small token of appreciation. I use samples:-To give to my private clients like women going to reunions, special occasions, and even wedding guest. -I also use them as part of my touch up kits that I give to my bridal clients and their party. -They are great for using them in a goody bag with my clients that take makeup lessons which I offer both private and in groups.-Of course I use them on myself to test out products that I haven't tried yet

Be forewarned that because these samples are free there is a "catch"... sometimes products can take between 6-8 weeks to arrive. Also usually it requires you to sign up at a website which sometimes is used to keep you updated with that particular brands latest products aka beauty spammed. I keep a separate account for samples so that my inbox does not get bombarded with company updates. Also please do not give out your social security number or phone number, usually if these require a phone number I give a false one or my Google Voice number, I also try to give out a fake birthday to be cautious.

P & G Brands

P & G allows you to sign up and receive completely free samples at home. Registration is quick and easy. Home to beauty products like Olay, Gillette, Head & Shoulders

Target

Target offers completely free samples that constantly rotate so click here to find out what Target is offering at the moment. They do occasionally run out of products and won't have anything available to sample.

StartSampling.Com

Start Sampling.com is often used by Costco online to give products away to their customers. I've ordered products from here and received them already.

Walmart

Walmart offers free samples that also rotate on availability they offer a variety of home care products and beauty products from time to time. I don't guarantee that beauty products will always be available.

Free Stuff Finder.com

Free Stuff Finder is awesome, they constantly update their site with freebies as well as sales. For example they have products listed by store that will be on sale for Black Friday. It really helps save alot of research time for big sales from beauty to home.

Allure

Allure Magazine gives away the best beauty products year round to those that request the product first. The best part is that these are not sample size, they are FULL size beauty products from mascara to perfume to skin care products.

Vocalpoint

Vocalpoint is an online community of women that receive samples of the latest beauty products. They ask that in return you give your opinion after using the product but it's not required to receive products.

About.com Freebie Page

About.com has a Freebie specialist that post daily free samples from home products to beauty products.Lastly make sure to follow your favorite brands on Facebook and other social media outlets often times it is the first place they will announce giveaways.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Crystal Wright is a 20yr+ veteran in the beauty industry. She is known as the "Empowerment Diva" she is an expert in elevating the career of freelance artist. She has represented some of the biggest MUAs, Hair Stylist, Fashion Stylist, Photographers, and Manicurist in the industry. She used to own the Crystal Wright agency and now she helps empower freelancers by writing books, hosting seminars, public speaking, webinars, and one on one coaching sessions. She often will lecture at The Makeup Show and other industry events. In short she understands what we need to do as artist to get the paid jobs we work so hard to get. She host various workshops and the Los Angeles session is coming up the first week of December. I personally have her books and learned SO much from them alone. I own The Crystal Wright Hair, Makeup, & Fashion Styling Career Guide which has taught me so much from etiquette, personal style, testing, terminology, and especially the business side of makeup.

It's been the best money I have ever spent on a "makeup book" it answered alot of the questions I kept asking and never got a straight answer about. I have not attended her workshops yet. I am dying to attend I hear nothing but great reviews from friends of mine that have attended her workshops. If they are anything like her books I know it's money well spent. Here is more information about the class:

Master Self-Promotion & Reach Celebrity Status

If working in fashion and entertainment has always been a dream of yours, you want to join Crystal Wright, founder of Crystal Agency and author of The Hair, Makeup and Fashion Styling Career Guide for an information-packed 3-Day Portfolio Building and Marketing" workshop that focuses on portfolio creation, self-promotion, presentation, goal setting, agency representation, assisting and branding.About This 3-Day Class:The 3-day workshop teaches the business of freelancing for print, video, film and TV. Master self-promotion and reach celebrity status. Learn how to build and arrange your portfolio, get agency representation, build attention grabbing comp cards, business cards and a website without breaking the bank. Take advantage of our INDUSTRY EXPERTS PANEL where your most pressing questions will be answered. Its all here for the PRO who is serious about success behind the scenes.Become a member of the EXCLUSIVE PYP Network of Artists. Gain access to jobs, testing opportunities, marketing materials, discounts, afterclass coaching and much more.Network with like-minded professionals over 3 value packed results oriented days. This is the continuing education you need to make money and stay competitive. Crystal Wright will equip you to do business for the rest of your life? WORKSHOP SCHEDULELos Angeles Dec 7-9New York Oct 12-14Chicago Sept 14-16Atlanta Sept 21-23DAY 1: YOUR FUTURE & YOUR BOOK:Roadmapping: Choices, Goals, Knowledge, ResearchOnline & Print Portfolio Building: Testing, Photographers, Team Building, and StorytellingDAY 2: YOUR PLANBuilding a Client BaseMaximizing the Tools of the Trade: Website, ResumeMarketing Yourself: Comp Cards, Business Cards, Email & Social NetworkingAgency RepresentationThe Assistants ListDAY 3: STRICTLY BUSINESS: YOUR MONEY Deal Memo's, Invoices, Taxes, Collections, Filing, Forms, Receipts & Reimbursements.Master the paperwork necessary to get paid every time you work. CALL US NOW: (323) 299-0500Payment Plans Available$1,795.00Discounts for Students, PowderGroup Members & Hair & Network Members

Saturday, November 16, 2013

As a makeup artist not only do we have to be good at what we do, we also must be efficient with our time. The faster you are the more time and money you are able to save your client. Which is why I love products that will save me time and help me create a beautiful look for my clients.

I love this product because it is so easy to apply. It's the crayon I wish I had as a kid! The colors are beautiful, they offer a variety of shimmery colors and matte colors. They can be used as an eyeshadow base or as a precise highlighter. The best part is that they are part of MUFE's aqua line which makes it waterproof. This is my go to product when we are shooting at pools or beaches because it won't affect my work. For that same reason I love using this product for my bridal clients I can rest assure that they will look just as good in 10hrs. They are the same size as Sephora's jumbo liners and go on without skipping or having to press hard.

I recently took a workshop at the Make Up For Ever boutique in Beverly Hills with head Makeup Artist Talia Cich. She showed us how to create a beautiful smokey eye using the black aqua shadow stick. It is literally the fastest smokey eye I've ever done and the amount of product was minimal. I was so impressed and swear by this technique. I think all MUAs should do smokey eyes with this product. The best part? No BLACK FALLOUT!!

I am working on starting to do my own pictorials but for now here is an awesome pictorial from Joey Chong's blog on creating a smokey eye using the aqua shadow sticks. A smokey eye in just a few minutes!

I love this set I found on Amazon directly from Make Up For Ever and at only $20.75 it's worth the investment. They are travel size aqua eyes set but trust me a little goes a long way. It also gives you the opportunity to play with a few different colors. The matte black is a must have:

Do you want the full size Aqua Shadow Sticks? I also found this one on Amazon:

Friday, November 15, 2013

Perfecting HD Beauty with Ben Nye Makeup

Instructor: Debbie Muller

Dana Nye, President of Ben Nye Makeup, invites you to meet Australian Makeup Artist, Debbie Muller, who will demonstrate how to perfect your HD makeups with Ben Nye MediaPRO Palettes and new StarLuxe Foundation. This program will include:

•Corrective and Concealing Techniques

•Enhancing Features with Highlighting and Contouring

•Tips for a Flawless, Natural Makeup for HD Broadcast

•Bare to Smokey Eyes: Layering and Blending

•Adjusting Makeup for Film, Bridal and Fashion/Runway

Film Quality Special F/X

Instructor: Brian Sipe

Brian Sipe will join the session for a quick demo on realistic FX techniques using the Ben Nye Ultimate FX Palette and his Got Flesh!?! Prosthetic Transfers.

This workshop fee is $45 • Fee is redeemable in Ben Nye product only at the end of the workshop EXCEPT Kits. Expires in 14 days • Cancellations must be made 48 hrs. in advance. Absolutely no refunds afterwards. • Please arrive early, street parking only • Must present your workshop receipt for the workshop & to redeem products.

In stock

Price: $45.00

At only $45 this class is not worth missing out on. Almost all makeup is going HD and is really important if you are interested in film, editorial, and especially bridal. It's next week and nearly sold out.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

I cannot tell you enough how much I love Sam Fine. He is a living legend in the beauty industry and is known for being one of the hardest working MUA's. He is an innovator of makeup techniques, he understands his clients needs, and I can almost guarantee you that you've seen his work without knowing. He is one of the most sought after makeup artist in the world by celebrities everywhere. I was recently an audience member for the Queen Latifah show and almost had a heart attack when Sam Fine came out to touch her up. She looked as amazing in person as she does in her Covergirl photos.

The Life of Sam Fine

"What do superstars Patti Labelle, Vanessa L. Williams, Halle Berry, Brandy and supermodels Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, Iman, and Naomi Campbell all have in common? They've relied on the expert hand of makeup artist Sam Fine to look their most glamorous. That's because Fine knows that the key to making up goes beyond painting a pretty face. Long before he became a celebrity makeup artist, the Chicago native paid his dues working behind the makeup counter of department stores, an experience he fondly refers to as "the real school of beauty". There he came in contact with women from all walks of life that wanted one thing - to look their absolute best. He made it his mission to show them how to accentuate their unique beauty by using colors and shades that would best complement their complexions. But most importantly he helped them eliminate their doubts and apprehension about applying makeup so that they too could achieve dazzling results.

Fine's talent and determination have taken him far from the makeup counter, making him one of today's most sought after makeup artists. His work has appeared on the covers and pages of Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Vibe and Marie Claire and was chosen as the first African-American spokesperson for Revlon and Covergirl Cosmetics. But it was the experiences from his formative years selling makeup that inspired him to write his first book, Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African-American Women, a how-to guide that also highlights his many accomplishments.As follow-up to his best-selling book, Fine Beauty, celebrity makeup artist, Sam Fine, introduces his first instructional DVD, Fine: The Basics of Beauty. As a continuation of his commitment to educate women of color on the "fine" art of makeup, this step-by-step tutorial features three individual makeovers and addresses a myriad of beauty challenges by focusing on tools, technique and product selection. Sharing his wealth of experience and expertise, Fine enables viewers to fully understand all that goes into creating a flawless, natural-looking face."

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

In this demonstration, MAKE UP FOR EVER Head Makeup Artist Talia Cich will focus primarily on using the MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Color Palette, our most iconic product, to complete an entire beauty look from foundation to eyes, lips and cheeks. You will also learn how adding artistic touches to your beautifully prepared canvas can help elevate and transform any make up application through the art of detailing and layering your work.

• This workshop fee is $95

• Fee is redeemable in Make Up For Ever product only at the end of the workshop, Expires in 14 days

• Cancellations must be made 48 hrs. in advance. Absolutely no refunds afterwards.

• Please arrive early, street parking only

• Must present your workshop receipt for the workshop & to redeem products.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Sunday, November 17, 201312:30to 2:30 p.m. (Please arrive a few minutes before the start of the workshop)

Location: Naimie's 12640 Riverside Dr. Valley Village, CA 91607

Hi Definition Beauty from 50s Glamour to Bronzed Beauty

Join TEMPTU Pro makeup artist Jackie Fan for a two-hour workshop and demonstration of TEMPTU's award-winning TEMPTU Silicone Base (S/B) Airbrush makeup. Jackie will share beauty application tips and give instruction on advanced techniques of applying airbrush makeup for the high definition digital age. The workshop will focus on airbrush makeup techniques, color usage and mixing, contouring and highlighting, airbrushing eyes, lips, and cheeks, and a brief overview of TEMPTUairbrush equipment. Learn how to achieve various beauty effects with airbrush ranging from 50s glamour to bronzed beach beauty, and also trends in red carpet beauty. Also, find out how TEMPTU S/B is being used on high definition shows including Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Entertainment Tonight, and CNN.

Be prepared to take notes but there is no need to bring your airbrushing equipment.

Jackie Fan is professional makeup artist and educator for TEMPTU. Coming from a background tightly woven with design, Jackie understands and pioneers upcoming trends in makeup artistry. Her contributions can be seen on Lady Gagaperformances, top designer fashion shows includingBCBG and Moschino, TV commercials forAce Hardware, and MTV red carpet appearances.

Deposit: The $30 registration deposit will be fully refunded in product upon attending the workshop. However, the deposit will be forfeited for no-shows or late cancellations.

Cancellation, Wait-list, and Admission: The last day to cancel your registration for a full refund is Nov 11, 2013. If you are registering someone other than yourself, please provide us the name(s) in the Customer Notes window at checkout.

This is a very popular workshop and seats are limited. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Trade shows are an absolute MUST as a makeup artist it is a haven of education, networking, and reduced pricing on products. I know that if you have never attended one sometimes it's hard to imagine what the atmosphere is like, who goes?, and what you should wear. Here is a video from IMATS in NYC to better give you an idea of location, vendors, attendees, classes and more.

IMATS NYC:

A video tour of The Makeup Show LA 2013:

Personally I like to save anywhere from $500-$1000 throughout the year to spend at either IMATS or The Makeup Show here in LA. I spend this amount at the trade shows because I end up saving so much money that I don't buy too many other items throughout the year. If your budget does not allow you to spend money on anything other than your ticket, it's still worth the investment on education. These trade shows offer exclusive classes from the best in our industry. Most of the time at the end of the class they will take questions from the attendees. IMATS Lecture from Maxi Makeup:

The vendors tend to give much bigger discounts than you could find anywhere else. They also like to sell exclusive products at trade shows that you can't find anywhere else. For example Sugarpill cosmetics sold an exclusive pressed eyeshadow pallette at the Phamexpo. I have not been able to buy it online ANYWHERE. It was exclusive for the trade show and they have never sold it online or anywhere else.

I recommend getting there early because sometimes products get sold out, and classes start at the beginning of the day. Other tips I would add are to dress fashionable but comfortable if you plan on staying all day. I would also make sure to take water and snacks you can have throughout the day to make sure you can focus as the day goes by. Lastly don't forget to take business cards! This is an amazing opportunity to meet your favorite bloggers, favorite makeup artist, cosmetic company owners, and so much more.

Kandee Johnson meeting fans at IMATs

Here is a list of all the upcoming trade shows for 2014 (For the 2015 list click here). Click on the city and it will link you to their website. One on their site you can see pricing, accommodations exhibitors list, classes and more.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

I was informed that MUFE offered a FREE online course on how to do makeup inspired by the 1920's. I thought it was a gimmick but it wasn't and I left the class with a few great tips. The class is held on a website called Skillshare which allows people and businesses to create classes that can be offered both free or paid. You do however have to create an account and it can be created using your email account or by linking it to Facebook or Twitter. The best part is that you are able to upload your "project" or homework from the class which is a great way to get feedback on your technique.

The class was given by "JESSIE POWERS, she is the Managing Educator for North America. A veteran of MAKE UP FOR EVER since 2000, Jessie Powers brings her passion for artistry and transformation to her work. Drawing inspiration from atmosphere, art direction and music, she loves to play with color and texture and enjoys blurring the lines between traditional and avant-garde takes on beauty. Jessie’s make up philosophy is simple: “Do what makes you happy and keep your mind open to all possibilities. If you want to wear red glitter at age 80 – you should. Make up is transformative and powerful but it can also be frivolous and fun.”

I really enjoyed her demo and the fact that she did it on herself. I know that not many women are comfortable with being makeup free on camera, especially MUAs. I'm used to seeing a demo on a model applied by the MUA. She was straight forward, friendly, and full of great tidbits that are guaranteed to make your life easier.

Here is a Class Overview:

"Learn how you can incorporate beauty from a bygone era into your make up without it looking costume like. In this course, we’ll teach you how to create a strong smoky eye, defined brows, and apply faux lashes reminiscent of the makeup style from the 1920s. The look will be completed with a modern lip technique and texture.

In this class you will learn how to:

Create a 20s inspired look using a smoky eye variation and sculpted brow

Apply and shape faux lashes in a way that will be most flattering to your eye make up

Class Prize!

Our favorite project will win $100 worth of MAKE UP FOR EVER products and be featured on the MAKE UP FOR EVER USA Facebook page with 280k+ followers and to our 90k+ MAKE UP FOR EVER Twitter followers.

About Me

Welcome to How to Become a Makeup Artist

I'm Brandie - I'm a freelance makeup artist here in LA. I'm passionate about helping other makeup artist, beauty, and business. This blog is a place where I want to share all the things to help you succeed